Youths, comprising motorcycle mechanics in Ndiolumbe, Mgbokonta and affected villages in Isiala Ngwa South LGA of Abia State have sent a “save our soul” message to the CP of Police Abia State, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, following intimidation, harassment, extortion, among others by men of the Police Anti-cult Unit stationed opposite Madonna College of Health Technology, (MACOTECH), Olokoro, Umuahia Abia State.
Recall that some indigenes of Mgbokonta, Umueaja, Umuogele, Ndiolumbe, all in Isiala Ngwa South, LGA of Abia State, have in the last couple of months, complained of extortion, brutality, harassment by men of this Unit whom they have mistaken to be men of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
The activities of this Police Anti-cult Unit whom many allege to be robbers, have instilled fear in people due to their modus operandi as they come unexpectedly with different vehicles, handcuff, arrest and accuse their prey of buying stolen motorcycles and parts among other items from criminals.
Interacting with newsbuka.com last week Friday, a motorcycle mechanic in the area (Name Withheld), alleged that the squad numbering about nine to ten in an ash coloured hummer bus, stormed his shop on Thursday and accused him of buying stolen motorcycles from criminals.
While he was clearing himself, he alleged that one of them entered his shop, took all the money he had made for the day, while the another brought out handcuffs and cuffed his hands.
He informed that they threatened to take him to Umuahia but he kept on proving that he was innocent of all allegations, revealing that at this point, one of them asked him to pay the sum of N10,000, so that he will be released, informing that out of fear, he paid them the sum of N5,000 and was released.
He called on the CP, Abia State and the Abia State Government to come to their rescue following the activities of these men, adding that they now live in fear of the unknown.
Also speaking, another motorcycle mechanic in the area narrated his ordeal, saying he finds it difficult to open his shop on daily basis, pointing out that the Police Anti-cult Unit must have someone in the community who is an accomplice to this intimidation and extortion.
He called on the Commissioner of Police, Abia State, CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, to call his men to order if truly they are from the Police Anti-cult Unit, insisting that there are people who indulge in crimes but are allowed to move about freely, wondering why motorcycle mechanics or Isiala Ngwa South should be their target.
An indigene of Mgbokonta, who spoke to newsbuka.com on condition of anonymity, alleged that the Police Anti-cult Unit, has identified these communities in Isiala Ngwa South as their fortress. He revealed that he was nearly killed by the group few weeks ago as he was trying to navigate the road but met them on reverse with their ash coloured hummer bus, calling on the CP of Police to fish out these men trying to bring bad name to the police.
Also speaking, a POS operator in the area (Name Withheld), shared his experience a month ago with newsbuka.com. He said the Police Anti-cult Unit came to his shop, accused him of withdrawing money for “Yahoo Boys”.
He said he was arrested among others who were going about their normal businesses for one charge or the other, stating that even a young man whom they nearly hit was also arrested and taken to their Office located at Olokoro as he inquired why they were driving recklessly.
The victim said, ” I was locked up, they accused me of committing an offence -pulling money for “Yahoo Boys”. I asked them how I was supposed to know if someone is an ordinary person or “Yahoo Boy”. before the person makes withdrawal?
“They locked me in a cell together with others arrested on one charge or the other and asked me to pay the sum of N9 million for bail. Later, they said N2 million, but I was later bailed with others for N100,000 naira.
The victim called on the CP Abia State, to call this people bringing the name of the police to disrepute, emphasizing that since that sordid event, he is yet to recover from the shock, harassment, intimidation among others.
When newsbuka.com, visited the place said to be the office of the Police Anti-cult Unit opposite Madonna College of Health Technology, (MACOTECH), Olokoro, Umuahia Abia State, the premises appeared unoccupied as there was no sign of police presence there only the house painted in NPF colour indicating that it was designed for a Police unit.
Meanwhile, all efforts by newsbuka.com to get clarifications from the Police Public Relations Officer in Abia State, Supol Chinaka Chioma, on Tuesday, proved abortive as she rejected a call put across to her line just as she did not respond to earlier SMS sent to her line however, she later replied the text forwarded to her by saying, “Let them come to the police headquarters and make report at PRO’s office so we investigate and the appropriate thing done”.
Tags: Army, CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, Gov Alex Otti, Police, Security